So today I made a little Facebook posting, when I simply said that I was going to make dinner and possibly some brownies. Now, a friend piped in and says, ""Lol weren't you posting earlier today that you were trying to lose weight?" My response to that was "Yes I did, but I also said maybe make some brownies. Thanks for the support>" A few minutes later she responds back with "Lol i just thought it was too funny! stay away from the Brownies and eat an apple. how's that for support? lol" ..

Talk about an awesome support network I thought that I had, I guess I can count this person out.. I really REALLY wanted to respond to her last comment but I kept it to myself. But deep down inside it really hurt to have someone say this. I guess people don't realize that just because you're trying to lose weight doesn't mean that you can't eat a brownie, not like I'm serving it with ice cream and all the toppings!

I think that if you make your weight loss plans and eating habits public, people are going to make comments, and there's no way to stop it. There are dozens of threads here from people whose family members and friends say unhelpful things, and a lot of them really genuinely don't understand why their comments are unwelcome. I'm not saying that your friend did the right thing, but you did put your goal and your plans out there in a public space, so it's not totally unexpected to have someone comment about it. If you'd prefer not to get the comments (and I'm definitely with you on that--I don't want to hear everyone's opinions about my eating habits), I'd suggest that you stop posting about them on Facebook, where people feel compelled to comment about them. Your results will speak for themselves. Good luck!

I don't facebook .... so I'm probably not really qualified to comment ... but I only tell a few supportive people that I'm trying to be healthier .... and then use 3fc to obsess with others .. maybe try and set up a more supportive network with like minded people away from such a public forum .... maybe 3fc!!!

Some people don't know how to be supportive, especially if they havent had weight issues, if shes the friend you thought it would be worth explaining that it hurt you and letting her know the best way to approach you for example "Enjoy the dinner, not too many brownies though, you're doing great!" would make u think about it without being harsh. she probably doesn't realise x

I'm sorry, but in my opinion your friend did nothing hurtful at all. It's not like she said "Wow, you suck at dieting, you're going to fail because not even 24 hours after you posted about dieting, your eating brownies"... All she did was comment about the irony that in one day, you say you want to eat healthier and then you say you want to make brownies, the complete polar opposite of healthy. Now, don't get me wrong, I completely understand that treats are allowed, and without them, many of us would fail (I myself had chocolate tonight!), but even me, someone who is dieting would have made the exact same comment as your friend. People do not associate treats/unhealthy food when someone says they want to lose weight. When someone says they want to lose weight, people think "apples, salad, celery!".

What did you want her to say? What would have been a supportive comment on someone saying they want to make brownies, while earlier posting they want to lose weight? "Go ahead and eat the brownies!".... You would have seen her as sabotaging your weight loss and promoting unhealthy eating! Please do not get mad at your friend, she just pointed out the irony in your statement. I think you might be taking it the wrong way because part of you feels guilty for wanting to make the brownies!

It's not that I got mad at her, but when she was wanting to lose weight I wasn't making comments like that to her so I guess I kind of expected the same respect from her. I personally think the comment could've be worded a bit more nicer than the way she said it. I know that not everyone will agree with me thinking she was wrong, and I did not expect everyone to. I just thought that I could get support without being making rude comments. So for right now, I have my support system at home and that's all I need. Until I know I can trust my friends not to put me down because I ate a brownie. I do come to 3FC for support and I get it here, but when it comes from someone you truly know and care for it's completely different.

I think she meant well. She is still a good friend. But you need to explain to her that you count your calories, and you counted in the calories from the brownie also. So you haven't gone overboard on your diet.
You don't have to give up a treat. You just can't overdo it. You still need to get in all the nutrients fruits, veggies and meat contain.
Most people don't understand that a person can diet and still enjoy pastries and ice cream in moderation.

Just write her back and explain how you can eat a brownie and still lose weight. Then she'll look at dieting in a whole new light....Maybe....

If it really bothers you, you might consider telling her (privately, not scolding her on Facebook for all to see) that her comment hurt your feelings and why.

That might be a more productive way of handling the situation than fuming because she failed to meet your vague and unstated expectations of support.

After all, support means different things to different people. Instead of expecting your friends to magically divine precisely what kind of support you need and what kind of comments are hurtful to you, consider engaging them in dialogue about it.

__________________
High weight: 275 (August 2009) *** Low weight: 155 (October 2012)
Today, working off a partial regain. Current weight: 189.
Goals:
* Make the best choice I can make, with every choice.
* Remember that the temptation in front of me is not the last of its kind that I will ever see; say "I'll pass today."
* Say "no!" to my whiny inner five-year-old.

EEk- that does burn! I wouldn't want to hear that! It would make anyone mad.

If she really is a good friend, then I think her 'funniness' was completely lost in 'type' - this happens to many people. They don't know how to convey their humor or irony in written form. Have you thought about how she would have said the joke if you two were together? It may have actually been sort of funny... in an odd way.

And you may have also responded to her in a funny way.

In addition, (and this is where you may get angry with me), you transfered your own insecure feelings onto your friend and that explains why you became so angry.

You sent a big message out to the people in your life: I'm going to lose weight and get healthy. You did this for support. But, internally, you also have doubts about whether you will actually lose weight or not. So, telling everyone leaves you vulnerable - everyone will know whether you 'suceed' or 'fail' at your goal. Your friends 'funny' comment reinforced the fear you already have of failing.

Possibly. Of course I'm making an assumption.

I think that is why the comment hurt more than it normally would have.

Anyway - next time, on Facebook, write something like "I'm making brownies for dinner tonight. YUMMMMM. And I'm using apple sauce instead of oil - so, NO guilt!"

Even if you aren't using applesauce - just a little white lie that doesn't hurt anyone. Every calorie counters knows that even brownies can fit into a daily diet plan if done correctly!

I think the friend was just pointing out the irony of what was going on... BUT! Just because you're MAKING brownies does NOT mean you're going to EAT them yourself. They could be for your grandma for instance or just someone you know.

I think the friend was just pointing out the irony of what was going on... BUT! Just because you're MAKING brownies does NOT mean you're going to EAT them yourself. They could be for your grandma for instance or just someone you know.

I bake all the time, but don't eat it lol :P

That was more the point than anything, that just because I said "Maybe brownies?" It was taken that I was going to make brownies and eat them.. LOL.. I'm really not big on brownies, it's one of the few things that my Fiance does enjoy and so I make them for him. He usually ends up eating the majority of them.. LOL.. I love to bake! I baked so much over Christmas I thought I'd never want to bake again! Still can't stand looking at a cookie! Haha

That was more the point than anything, that just because I said "Maybe brownies?" It was taken that I was going to make brownies and eat them.. LOL.. I'm really not big on brownies, it's one of the few things that my Fiance does enjoy and so I make them for him. He usually ends up eating the majority of them.. LOL.. I love to bake! I baked so much over Christmas I thought I'd never want to bake again! Still can't stand looking at a cookie! Haha

exactly! people just assume stuff too much [in my own opinion anyway ] but that's definitely how i felt about it. I don't think it wasn't that they weren't being supportive, just being ironic [which sometimes rubs me the wrong way i will admit LOL]

I think I would have looked at it as an opportunity to educate. I probably would have said "I said I was trying to lose weight, not stop living! LOL My diet plan allows for small treats to avoid binges. I find that works best for ME!"

__________________

"There are plenty of difficult obstacles in your path, don't let yourself become one of them" ~Unknown

I'm not saying that this is the right approach for you but that's why I haven't told many people about my weight loss goals. I just don't even want to set myself up for comments like that. And, as some others said, she probably didn't mean it as harshly as you took it. But in the end perception is huge and you perceived it as an offensive statement. I just don't want to be put in that position so I avoid it. I do think that you have to have a support network, but I don't think FB is the forum for it. I've written very few posts about weight loss on FB because I'd be opening myself up to potential comments that I would feel were hurtful. Not sure if that's a good or a bad thing. But I have told the people I know for sure are a part of my support network, and that's all I need right now.

Anyway, like I said, not sure if this is or is not a good approach for you, but wanted to add in my 2 cents.

Good Luck!

__________________

Sweat Pea from Sucker Punch - "‎Who honors those we love with the very life we live? Who sends monsters to kill us, and at the same time sings that we'll never die? Who teaches us what's real, and how to laugh at lies? Who decides why we live, and what we'll die to defend? Who chains us, and who holds the key to set us free? It's you. You have all the weapons you need. Now fight!"

I think I would have looked at it as an opportunity to educate. I probably would have said "I said I was trying to lose weight, not stop living! LOL My diet plan allows for small treats to avoid binges. I find that works best for ME!"

This!!!

I guess I'm lucky. My friends don't give two sh!ts about my health when I post. I ask for support, I get zero. I honestly wish I had more support then I do.. but what can I do? I cannot force people to support me. If I have to be my own cheerleader, then so be it.

__________________Don't mind me. I'm an invisible person who everyone forgot. No friends, no support. Nothing. Thanks 3FC for making me realize how invisible I really am!